(07/10) V&A

I went around the v&a extensively, but ultimately boiled down my options that I had ideas for to a contemporary selection of Japanese vases or one of several selections of Chinese snuff bottles and boxes.

Japanese vase selection

Ultimately the subject matter of the snuff boxes has drawn me in more and lead to research on different vessels used in different countries and how they differed in appearance during different time periods. Originating in Europe, boxes were used with gaudy imagery carved into the side, often salacious imagery, making the boxes seem much more personal. When brought to China, this western influence sparked the creation of their snuff bottles. I’m choosing the bottle designs over that of the European boxes (often shaped like shoes for reasons i shall soon find out), because of the interest in the materials used. Especially given that the bottles primary function is a transporting vessel that an individual would have on their person 24/7. Yet they were made of often made of materials that wouldn’t survive being dropped to the ground.

Chinese Snuff bottles (ranging from 1700-modern)

Narrowing my group down to the three bottles at the forefront in the image above, and the two in the image below. (1700-1750, Qing Dynasty period)